Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations

摘要

Methods and apparatus for transmitting vibrations via an electronic and/or transducer assembly through a dental implant are disclosed herein. The assembly may be attached, adhered, or otherwise embedded into or upon the implant to form a hearing assembly. The electronic and transducer assembly may receive incoming sounds either directly or through a receiver to process and amplify the signals and transmit the processed sounds via a vibrating transducer element coupled to a tooth or other hone structure, such as the maxillary, mandibular, or palatine bone structure.

主权项

1. An apparatus for transmitting vibrations, comprising:
an implant having an implant head and a threaded portion adapted to be positioned below a gum line; a housing which is sized for placement within a mouth of the patient; an actuatable transducer comprised of a piezoelectric material and disposed within or upon the housing, wherein the transducer is removably coupled to the implant head such that when connected the transducer is in vibratory communication with the implant head and when removed the transducer is not in communication with the implant head; and at least one microphone in communication with the transducer.